Mr. Seward to Mr. Motley.
Sir: I have received with sincere pleasure your despatch of June 18, No. 61. I sympathize with you, as the whole American people do, in the grief and sorrow which you express on the occasion of the death of General Wadsworth. He was an eminent type of the sublime virtue which is saving and regenerating the republic. There is scarcely a family in the country which has not been bereaved, and you may therefore be sure of universal sympathy when you mourn for one near to yourself who was stricken down upon the battle-field.
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I thank you for your suggestions concerning Mexico, and the probable influence of recent events in that country upon our relations with Austria. These are consequences of our civil war, and they cannot be controlled. All that can be done in regard to them is to practice prudence and good faith in our foreign relations, and at the same time make preparations for self defence, if, notwithstanding our best efforts, we shall find ourselves involved in new complications. Neither is our political system weak, nor does it stand on an uncertain foundation. We must, indeed, do all that we can to fortify, as well as to defend it; but we may not unwisely indulge an abiding confidence in its inherent strength and stability.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
J. Lothrop Motley, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Vienna.